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The Forensic Sexual Behaviour Program provides assessment and treatment (when appropriate) for adults whose sexual behaviour has crossed legal boundaries. The program is run primarily with psychologists, who conduct risk assessments, consultations, and/or treatment.

Additional services offered by the program may include:

Safety and Family Education (SAFE) program for family, partners or support people

Maintenance Group (after successful completion of treatment)

Prevention Activities (primarily educational)

Education and Workshops for community agencies

Location, hours and contact information

There are also treatment services offered in Sydney, Kentville, and Truro. However, you should contact the Dartmouth location for information about what is offered at each site and how to access these services. Assessments are conducted only at the Dartmouth site and are required before treatment can begin.

How do I access the program?

Typically, you are referred from an external party (i.e., the court, attorney, or probation officer), but a client may self-refer to this program. In order to self-refer, or for more details, please contact the program lead, Dr. Angela Connors (902-464-3211).

How do I prepare for my appointment?

You can prepare for your assessment by arranging your travel and/or accommodations, which are your responsibility. You should also review the letter you received outlining who you are meeting with and where you should go.

A break will be offered between noon and 1 p.m. during each of your assessment days, so you should bring food, or money to purchase food, for your lunch.

During your assessment, the clinician will want to speak to a few people who know you well to get an idea of what you are like and how you function in the world. Before your appointment, please consider who you would like the clinician to speak to, and confirm that they are comfortable with being contacted. If one of these people accompanies you to the assessment, s/he may wish to speak with the clinician in person (rather than on the telephone). This can be arranged for the second day of your assessment.

What questions should I ask?

Before the assessment begins, a review of the process and what it includes will be outlined for you before you decide whether to consent to continue. You are encouraged to ask questions at this time, but you are also welcome to ask questions throughout your assessment.

What will happen at my appointment?

Your first appointment is an assessment which takes place at The Nova Scotia Hospital in Dartmouth. However, an additional appointment is sometimes required for feedback or to complete unfinished testing or interview. Please remember that travel and/or accommodation arrangements are your own responsibility.

The assessment is made up of paper and pencil testing, interview questions and an assessment designed to determine sexual preferences. You will be given a survey at the end of your assessment for a chance to give any additional feedback about your experience, but please remember that you are encouraged to ask questions throughout your assessment.

What happens after my first visit?

At the end of your assessment, the psychologist will let you know what your risk level is of being in trouble with the courts again, and what is being recommended to help reduce that risk even further. If you are still before the court, a full report will go to the court who will share it with all lawyers, including yours. If you were referred by your probation officer or conditional sentence supervisor, a short summary of your assessment will be sent to that person to outline your risk and any recommendations the clinician is making to help you manage your risk. This often includes attending a treatment group which you can attend at multiple locations, so you will be referred to the one that is the most easily accessible for you.

After successfully completing treatment, a maintenance group is offered (where available) as a means to have continued support while making or maintaining healthy lifestyle changes.